65 replies to this topic

[Alan]

Tesco in Amersham used to sell 'Roo and Ostrich. Both are nice tasty meats but I've not seen either in there for a while.

For years, unfortunately I could only afford it when reduced

[K&P]

I suppose you'll be trying to find a local restaurant that serves pie floaters.

OK, I'm up for a laugh. What is a pie floater?

[Tallguy]

http://en.wikipedia....iki/Pie_floater

[K&P]

http://en.wikipedia....iki/Pie_floater

Oh my! I've never seen such a thing - mind you, Adelaide's a weird place....

[James516]

Tallguy - you'll be no doubt delighted to know that roo is largely considered dog food in most of Oz.

[Tallguy]

Indeed, Adelaide is a funny place, or it was when I was there in 1988.

Roo may be considered dog food by some, but I like it. Cod used to be the poor man's fish, now it's served in lots of fine restaurants.

Times change. Wait until Gordon Ramsay cooks it in one of his restaurants or on the telly. Then it will be popular, in the UK at least.

[Fran]

Wait until Gordon Ramsay cooks it in one of his restaurants or on the telly. Then it will be popular, in the UK at least.

I remember seeing a TV programme where Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall cooked placenta pate, but fortunately I don't think that caught on!

[SianJosette]

Marks & Spencer's/ Tesco's/ Sainbury's/ Waitrose I have shopped at all mentioned. Yes Marks & Spencers sell nicely packaged and well presented products, but then most Supermarkets have their own ' Best Of ' ranges now. Personally I don't really pay much attention to 'where' a person decides to do their food shopping, it's what goes into their baskets and trolleys that's interesting!

You can readily fill your trolleys with 'Organic' or 'Luxury' food items in any supermarket, granted the quality may differ from place to place, and yes, some shopping bills will be that much more expensive than others.

But then you can still manage to have a trolley that's overloaded with crisps, sweets, fizzy drinks, ready made meals, boil in the bag, etc. Again these purchases can be made at any of the places I mentioned above.

I personally think that shops can't be classed as ' posh ' or ' middle Class ' which ever term you choose to use.

Yes they are trying to promote an image, but really as long as they are making money do they really care about what job occupation their customers have? or which background they come from?

[SianJosette]

Indeed, Adelaide is a funny place, or it was when I was there in 1988.

Visited Adelaide back in 1999/2000. Has a sort of dreamy ' Toy Town ' feel to it. But, this is by no means a criticism! It was clean, quiet and the Cafe/ Restaurant life fantastic! Spent a lot of time passing through Stirling.

[Alan]

Visited Adelaide back in 1999/2000. Has a sort of dreamy ' Toy Town ' feel to it. But, this is by no means a criticism! It was clean, quiet and the Cafe/ Restaurant life fantastic! Spent a lot of time passing through Stirling.

Are you meaning Stirling, Scotland? If so what are you saying, because i've mised that bit. Or is there a place in Aus called Stirling?

[SianJosette]

Are you meaning Stirling, Scotland? If so what are you saying, because i've mised that bit. Or is there a place in Aus called Stirling?

I was addressing someone's posting on their thoughts/visit to Adelaide in Australia, and so mentioned Stirling which is in Adelaide, as we visited there ourselves.

[Alan]

I was addressing someone's posting on their thoughts/visit to Adelaide in Australia, and so mentioned Stirling which is in Adelaide, as we visited there ourselves.

Lots of names in Aus and US from UK, Wembley is even in Aus'.

[Fran]

Wembley is even in Aus'.

Is that why the Australian builders of our new Wembley got in a muddle?

[SianJosette]

Lots of names in Aus and US from UK, Wembley is even in Aus'.

I know is incredible, and sometimes most confusing for folk.

[Alan]

I know is incredible, and sometimes most confusing for folk.

Just shows how we have infected the planet.

[Fran]

Lots of names in Aus and US from UK

And plenty in US and Canada too, especially the NE coast of US, where the first British settlers were. It's interesting that so many survive and haven't been replaced (as has happened in India, Rhodesia/Zimbabwe, South Africa, parts of Hong Kong and elsewhere). I suppose the US is big enough and powerful enough to feel it has overcome its colonial past, having beaten us in a civil war, and Canada still has the Queen as head of state, but with less of a republican movement than Aus.

I personally think that shops can't be classed as ' posh ' or ' middle Class ' which ever term you choose to use.

In Utopia, maybe, but in the real world, I think there is a clear difference. Walk into a cheapo supermarket in an inner city sink estate and then walk in to Waitrose or even Tesco or Sainsbury's in the commuter belt and there is a clear difference: in atmosphere, type of stock, typical customers, what they buy, the cars they drive there etc. For all that most of us don't want to be defined by our circumstances, background, income, taste or shopping... to some extent, we are. Just ask anyone in marketing.

[SianJosette]

In Utopia, maybe, but in the real world, I think there is a clear difference. Walk into a cheapo supermarket in an inner city sink estate and then walk in to Waitrose or even Tesco or Sainsbury's in the commuter belt and there is a clear difference: in atmosphere, type of stock, typical customers, what they buy, the cars they drive there etc. For all that most of us don't want to be defined by our circumstances, background, income, taste or shopping... to some extent, we are. Just ask anyone in marketing.

Ah yes, but I know people who are from traditionally ' Middle Class ' backgrounds who don't earn quite enough money to be able to live in the more affluent areas or housing. They themselves live on estates considered less desirable. They have no choice sometimes but to shop in places such as Kwik save, or Lidl or as you put it yourself 'cheapo supermarkets' You can still buy 'Named brand' goods all the same! You can still buy some organic food stuff. I KNOW this for a fact.

My earlier comment was not made out of any dissilusion on my part as to what or where individuals may or may not be able to shop. I just personally don't like to judge people on where they choose to go, and at the end of the day think the actual supermarkets themselves are not particularily that bothered where their clients come from.

In the real world, again as you put it, you CAN still manage to find some decent prouducts at an affordable price and be responsible for eating healthy food whether you shop in Kwik Save or Marks & Spencers.

People who work in marketing will be aware of this, depsite a persons income or background we are becoming more aware of our eating habits, they are in a win win situation what ever.

[SianJosette]

Just shows how we have infected the planet.

No doubt if we ever do find a way of living on the moon, there will be a Stirling up there too!

[Alan]

Ah yes, but I know people who are from traditionally ' Middle Class ' backgrounds who don't earn quite enough money to be able to live in the more affluent areas or housing. They themselves live on estates considered less desirable. They have no choice sometimes but to shop in places such as Kwik save, or Lidl or as you put it yourself 'cheapo supermarkets' You can still buy 'Named brand' goods all the same! You can still buy some organic food stuff. I KNOW this for a fact.

My earlier comment was not made out of any dissilusion on my part as to what or where individuals may or may not be able to shop. I just personally don't like to judge people on where they choose to go, and at the end of the day think the actual supermarkets themselves are not particularily that bothered where their clients come from.

In the real world, again as you put it, you CAN still manage to find some decent prouducts at an affordable price and be responsible for eating healthy food whether you shop in Kwik Save or Marks & Spencers.

People who work in marketing will be aware of this, depsite a persons income or background we are becoming more aware of our eating habits, they are in a win win situation what ever.

I am that middle class family, stretched, but unsupported by the state

[Alan]

No doubt if we ever do find a way of living on the moon, there will be a Stirling up there too!

As a kid in the '70s and having watched the Apollo 11 flight and landing I hope so, it may not be that 'tranquill' (Sea of), if Sean's Outlands has something to do with it.

[Fran]

I know people who are from traditionally ' Middle Class ' backgrounds who don't... live in the more affluent areas or housing... in places such as Kwik save, or Lidl... You can still buy 'Named brand' goods all the same! You can still buy some organic food stuff. I KNOW this for a fact.

...I just personally don't like to judge people on where they choose to go... the actual supermarkets themselves are not particularily that bothered where their clients come from.

...marketing will be aware of this, depsite a persons income or background we are becoming more aware of our eating habits, they are in a win win situation.

Don’t panic or take offence! Like most people, I also know people from middle class backgrounds, living in less affluent circumstances than they came from (I was one of them for quite a while) and indeed people who have gone the other way. And I know full well that you can buy branded goods and organic items in Kwik Save and Lidl etc - although I doubt that accounts for the bulk of what they sell. However, it is also true that much of the cheapest food is poorer nutritionally; it takes more time and effort to eat healthily on a tight budget (just compare the cheapest bread with a mid-priced loaf), so all credit to those who manage to do so.

Nor was I suggesting “judging” people in terms of their value as human beings on the basis of where they shop.

But nevertheless, as a generalisation, I have experienced clear differences between supermarkets, according to where they are and who they target. And the supermarkets go to great lengths to cultivate those differences.

The supermarkets’ raison d’etre is to make money, so at one level, no, they’re not bothered where their customers come from. But on the other hand, each invests huge amounts of time and money identifying and honing a particular image and targeting particular customers. (That isn’t to say there aren’t overlaps: Tesco sells both Value and Finest ranges and many customers buy both.) In fact, such categorisation is a significant part of their success: supermarkets have some of the largest databases of socio-economic data and complex profiling algorithms of any organisation, including government departments.

As for people being more aware of healthy eating nowadays, certainly there is far more discussion in the media and more nutritional data on packaging etc, but how many of us successfully apply such principles long term? Obesity and related problems continue their relentless rise. Much of the information can be misleading and thus unwary consumers are lured into counterproductive purchases. Sales of skimmed and semi-skimmed milk are far higher than a decade or two ago, but the fat that isn’t in the milk is just consumed in other ways (e.g. more creamy deserts); Jamie Oliver inspired campaigns have led to fewer children having school meals, damaging their viability for the remainder in some areas; the growing packed lunch market has resulted in a plethora of “fun” food and drink that is often nutritionally very poor, despite headlining a few added vitamins; “low fat” foods are often higher in sugar, and “low sugar” ones higher in fat than non-diet versions, and calories, salt and fat etc are given “per portion” often using a far smaller portion than most people eat. So yes, “healthy eating” is a great “win win” for the supermarkets and marketing people, but for the customers who are conscientiously trying to improve the quality of what they eat, especially those on lower incomes, the benefits are harder to detect.

[147]

As a kid in the '70s and having watched the Apollo 11 flight and landing I hope so, it may not be that 'tranquill' (Sea of), if Sean's Outlands has something to do with it.

Alan have you not seen Capricorn One ?

It never happened.

[a t o m i c]

And plenty in US and Canada too, especially the NE coast of US, where the first British settlers were. It's interesting that so many survive and haven't been replaced (as has happened in India, Rhodesia/Zimbabwe, South Africa, parts of Hong Kong and elsewhere). I suppose the US is big enough and powerful enough to feel it has overcome its colonial past, having beaten us in a civil war, and Canada still has the Queen as head of state, but with less of a republican movement than Aus.

If you are interested in US towns/cities/counties/states that are named after British originals, then yo umight want to take a good long look at Pennsylvania in particular, where nearly all of our local neighbour towns and villages can be found anew.

As far as I can tell, however, there is yet only one Amersham!

[a t o m i c]

Alan have you not seen Capricorn One ?

It never happened.

I've seen Capricorn One, so it MUST have happened, surely? Ask Elliot Gould - he was there when they made it!

[a t o m i c]

However, it is also true that much of the cheapest food is poorer nutritionally; it takes more time and effort to eat healthily on a tight budget (just compare the cheapest bread with a mid-priced loaf), so all credit to those who manage to do so.

It might taste slightly better, but it's the same Chorleywood Process rubbish, unfortunately.

We were in Luxembourg this weekend, and the bread there was unbelievable compared to the rubbish that's sold here. According to Radio 4's Food Programme (one of the most relentlessly middle class programmes anywhere) over 95% of UK bread production is Chorleywood Process. I worked in a bakery for a couple of months when I was younger (Gilsons in Colnbrook if you know it), and we produced 'premium quality' loaves for M&S which were proved for something like 10mins to half an hour.

Have a look at this depressing link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk...ory_bread.shtml

[Alan]

Alan have you not seen Capricorn One ?

It never happened.

This could be a good thread, conspiracy's, space/time rifts, temporal time shifts etc, however (Capricorn One) another good film with a good storey not relying on special effects.

[SianJosette]

Don’t panic or take offence!

< It's OK, neither have been detected

[SianJosette]

I am that middle class family, stretched, but unsupported by the state

This is the worst place to be! Financially well of to some who as a result have no sympathy for your situation and don't regard you as a needy enough cause ( for want of a MUCH better phrase ) but then not financially in a place where you can try and manage yourself.

[SianJosette]

Nor was I suggesting “judging” people in terms of their value as human beings on the basis of where they shop.

Oh heavens, I wasn't for a second suggesting that, I certainly don't want my comment to come across in that way .

I orginally only wanted to get my personal view across as to whether or not I thought Marks & Spencers was a 'posh' supermarket.

I guess as with 'normal' conversation things go off on something of a tangent . And obviously not being in some one's actual physical company, you can't take into account a persons tone of voice, body language etc......

[Alan]

This is the worst place to be! Financially well of to some who as a result have no sympathy for your situation and don't regard you as a needy enough cause ( for want of a MUCH better phrase ) but then not financially in a place where you can try and manage yourself.

My three stayed on at school or college, there mates were getting up to £30 a week for staying on, I'm a little outside the limit for them to be allowed that, but for mine to have the same I've got to give them £360 a month, after my mortgage, etc that is over half my disposable income. The system Sh**'s on people who work and pay taxes that aren't in the lower pay band and ain't rich!!. I've worked all my life, paid taxes, but it doesn't seem to pay, because of my job I can't earn an other income(without problems) my private life is restricted and I can't withdraw my labour, and the government jerks us about with propaganda targets? 150 working days till I've done 30 years and I can't wait. We can't do what we joined for anymore because the money chases targets not results. My parents were working class and worked their B***'s off. I probably appriciate that more, and I hope mine do, but why do the people who work hard in the middle suffer?